QLDC comprises around 250 staff operating throughout the district.

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position: Senior Planner (Policy) Division: Planning & Development Location: Queenstown Reports to: Planning Policy Manager Date: October 2016 BACKGROUND Queenstown Lakes is a unique District in New Zealand. It has unprecedented population and economic growth coupled with an international reputation as a tourist destination. It has a relatively small number of resident ratepayers (approximately 30,000) but experiences 2 million+ visitors every year. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a central role to play in the development and regulation of the District in a manner that provides high quality services to residents and visitors alike. This includes providing good quality local infrastructure; managing the Districts parks, trails, libraries and recreational facilities; enabling sustainable development through resource and building consenting services; and regulating local activities such as dog and noise control; parking enforcement and local health standards. QLDC current 10-year plan sets out its goals for sustainable growth management. These outcomes include: An enabling forward-looking financial strategy that is sustainable in the long term; A balanced growth strategy that promotes employment and business opportunities and supports a strong and diverse community; A resilient and participating community that celebrates success, has pride in the district and its heritage and has thriving arts, cultural and sporting groups; and A natural built environment that makes Queenstown Lakes District a place of choice to live, work and visit. QLDC comprises around 250 staff operating throughout the district. PURPOSE The Senior Planner (Policy) role drafts policies, strategies and guidelines, undertakes community consultation, monitoring outcomes under the LGA and RMA, advising the Council on policy and RMA matters, responding to District Plan enquiries and preparing Plan Changes and reviews. The role is central to the District Plan review process, strategic planning initiatives and there is the opportunity for direct involvement with Special Housing Area applications. These will be delivered to the quality standards specified and within the timeframes set.

2 KEY TASKS Operational Excellence Make a positive and constructive technical contribution to the District Plan review Prepare briefs of work and manages policy projects that are being undertaken by council staff including wider Council strategies & other initiatives Provides technical and management assistance to strategic planning initiatives and Special Housing Area applications. Manages projects including subcontractors. Coordinates & manages consultants involved in providing specialist advice to the District Plan review & other policy projects. Manages projects and develops strategies for managing growth in the district, including involvement in the dwelling capacity & District Wide economic models. Manages & processes privately initiated Plan Changes. Provides advice to Council on policy & RMA matters. Responds to District Plan enquiries and undertakes community consultation. Assist with the administration of the QLDC District Plan. Involved with monitoring the District Plan and Community Outcomes. Prepare reports on particular planning issues as directed. Prepare and present evidence for Council and Environment Court hearings. Ensure that accurate and up to date records are maintained in relation to all areas of responsibilities. Ensure a high standard of customer interface in responding to counter, telephone, and mail enquiries. Champion QLDC commitment to excellence, innovation and quality. Implement and continually improve service delivery policies, processes and systems in order to assist effective, efficient and seamless resource consenting activities. Ensures sound and practical application of the RMA, and all associated legislation, in relation to all policy planning strategies, decisions and advice. Relationship Management Fosters and drives collaborative team environment with internal Policy Planners and external consultants and contractors. Works collaboratively with other members of the Planning & Development team including resource consent planners, engineering and support staff. Establish ongoing dialogues with customers, and is proactive in building strategic alliances consistent with QLDC s vision. Strategically manage stakeholder relationships through on-going dialogue. Take a long term perspective in ensuring delivery, satisfaction and value for money. Cultivate a professional and positive image for QLDC with the media and the community.

3 Corporate Responsibilities Build commitment to QLDC s vision, values and services. Willingly undertake any duty required within the context of the position. Ensure compliance with all legal/statutory and QLDC requirements for health and safety of all staff, visitors and users of QLDC recreation and leisure facilities. Manage own personal health and safety and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents. Comply with all legislative requirements. Adhere to QLDC s Code of Conduct. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Internal: General Manager, Planning & Development Planning Policy Manager Manager, Planning Practice Resource consent team leaders Legal advisors Professional experts (external) Other staff External: Residents and customers Contractors & Consultants ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELEGATIONS No financial delegations held. No staff management responsibilities. PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience with District Plan reviews in a New Zealand Local Government environment Significant knowledge and demonstrated practical application (5-7+ years) of the Resource Management Act 1991 and allied legislation. Experience in both a policy planning & consenting environment desirable Environment Court experience is helpful. Tertiary degree qualification in planning or related discipline is essential. Membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute (or eligibility to apply) Proven track record of developing and maintaining relationships across a broad range of stakeholders. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to present topics to the public, politicians, professionals, environment court and formal / informal meetings.

4 Highly motivated, achievement-oriented and innovative professional. COMPETENCIES Integrity and trust are core competencies for all employees of QLDC Competencies specific to the role: Relationship Management Informing Decision quality Intellectual Horsepower Problem Solving Presentation skills Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, sideways, inside and outside of the organisation; Builds appropriate rapport quickly; Builds constructive and effective relationships; Uses diplomacy and tact; Can defuse high tension situations comfortably; is easy to approach and talk to; puts others at ease; is a good listener; is sensitive and patient. Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs; Provides individuals with information so that they can make accurate decisions and give appropriate advice to others; is timely with information Makes good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement; most solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions. Is bright and intelligent, able to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, intellectually sharp and agile. Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn t stop at the first answers. Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one on one, small and large groups. Is effective both inside & outside the organisation, on both cool data & hot controversial topics. Commands attention & can manage group process during the presentation. Can change tactics midstream when something isn t working.

5 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position: Planner (Policy) Division: Planning & Development Location: Queenstown Reports to: District Plan Manager Date: November 2014 BACKGROUND Queenstown Lakes is a unique District in New Zealand. It has unprecedented population and economic growth coupled with an international reputation as a tourist destination. It has a relatively small number of resident ratepayers (approximately 22,000) but experiences 2 million+ visitors every year. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a central role to play in the development and regulation of the District in a manner that provides high quality services to residents and visitors alike. This includes providing good quality local infrastructure; managing the Districts parks, trails, libraries and recreational facilities; enabling sustainable development through resource and building consenting services; and regulating local activities such as dog and noise control; parking enforcement and local health standards. QLDC current 10-year plan sets out its goals for sustainable growth management. These outcomes include: An enabling forward-looking financial strategy that is sustainable in the long term; A balanced growth strategy that promotes employment and business opportunities and supports a strong and diverse community; A resilient and participating community that celebrates success, has pride in the district and its heritage and has thriving arts, cultural and sporting groups; and A natural built environment that makes Queenstown Lakes District a place of choice to live, work and visit. QLDC comprises around 250 staff operating throughout the district. PURPOSE The Planner role drafts policies, guidelines, and monitors outcomes under the LGA and RMA, advising the Council on policy and RMA matters, responding to District Plan enquiries and preparing Plan Changes and reviews. These decisions will be delivered to the quality standards specified and within the timeframes set.

6 KEY TASKS Operational Excellence Assist with the administration of the QLDC District Plan. Prepare briefs of work and managing projects that are being undertaken by council staff. Manages projects to amend the District Plan. Prepare reports on particular planning issues as directed. Prepare evidence for Council and Environment Court hearings. Ensure that accurate and up to date records are maintained in relation to responsibilities. Ensure a high standard of customer interface in responding to counter, telephone, and mail enquiries. Implement and continually improve service delivery policies, processes and systems in order to assist effective, efficient and seamless resource consenting activities. Ensures sound and practical application of the RMA, and all associated legislation, in relation to all policy planning strategies, decisions and advice. Relationship Management Fosters and drives collaborative team environment with internal Policy Planners and external consultants and contractors. Works collaboratively with other members of the Planning & Development team. Establish ongoing dialogues with customers, and is proactive in building strategic alliances consistent with QLDC s vision. Cultivate a professional and positive image for QLDC with the media and the community. Corporate Responsibilities Build commitment to QLDC s vision, values and services. Willingly undertake any duty required within the context of the position. Ensure compliance with all legal/statutory and QLDC requirements for health and safety of all staff, visitors and users of QLDC recreation and leisure facilities. Manage own personal health and safety and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents. Comply with all legislative requirements. Adhere to QLDC s Code of Conduct. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Internal: General Manager, Planning & Development Legal advisors Other staff External:

7 Residents and customers Contractors & Consultants ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELEGATIONS No financial delegations held. No staff management responsibilities. PERSON SPECIFICATION Tertiary qualification in planning or related discipline. Membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute, or eligibility for. Good knowledge and demonstrated practical application (3+ years) of the Resource Management Act 1991 and allied legislation. Experience in both a Policy Planning & Consenting environment desirable Proven experience with District Plan reviews, or other planning policy areas, in a New Zealand Local Government Environment Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to present topics to the public, professionals and meetings. Proven track record of developing and maintaining relationships across a broad range of stakeholders. Highly motivated, achievement-oriented and innovative professional.

8 COMPETENCIES Integrity and trust are core competencies for all employees of QLDC Competencies specific to the role: Relationship Management Informing Decision quality Intellectual Horsepower Problem Solving Presentation skills Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, sideways, inside and outside of the organisation; Builds appropriate rapport quickly; Builds constructive and effective relationships; Uses diplomacy and tact; Can defuse high tension situations comfortably; is easy to approach and talk to; puts others at ease; is a good listener; is sensitive and patient. Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs; Provides individuals with information so that they can make accurate decisions and give appropriate advice to others; is timely with information Makes good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement; most solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions. Is bright and intelligent, able to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably, intellectually sharp and agile. Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn t stop at the first answers. Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one on one, small and large groups. Is effective both inside & outside the organisation, on both cool data & hot controversial topics. Commands attention & can manage group process during the presentation. Can change tactics midstream when something isn t working.